Just over two months ago, Alan Edmonson guided Goddard to the Class 5A state baseball championship with an emotional victory over Albuquerque Academy at Isotopes Stadium.

Now he has been handed the keys to arguably the best baseball coaching job in the entire state of New Mexico.

According to the Roswell Daily Record, Edmonson has accepted the position of head coach at Carlsbad, agreeing to become Cody May’s successor.

The Cavemen are, of course, traditionally one of the most successful programs in the state and captured the 2016 Class 6A title. But lefthander Trevor Rogers, the 2017 Gatorade Player of the Year, has graduated and recently joined the professional baseball ranks after being drafted in the first round with the No. 13 overall pick by the Miami Marlins.

“It’s been a tough decision emotionally, for myself and for the family,” Edmonson told the Roswell Daily Record. “We love the school so much and love the community so much, especially love all the people that have sacrificed their time, effort, energy and resources into building one of the best baseball programs in the state. But we’re excited about a new opportunity down in Carlsbad.”

A 1996 Goddard graduate and baseball standout, Edmonson coached the Rockets for six years and led them to four straight appearances in the Class 5A state championship game.

Goddard amassed an impressive record of 104-20 in Edmonson’s final four seasons at the helm.

Who will be Goddard’s next baseball head coach? Edmonson said he wasn’t sure, or if any of his assistants will apply for the job, but he recognized the bar has been set high.